Pope Leo XIV has established himself as a fan of the Chicago White Sox and is known to enjoy tennis. However, many in the Vatican and across Italy are curious about his loyalties in soccer. During a private gathering with players from Napoli, the pope cast doubt on the notion that he is an AS Roma supporter, despite the media’s insistence on the narrative.

When meeting with the Napoli squad, Leo joked about the applause delay from the audience due to assumptions made by the press, stating he’s not a Romanista, emphasizing that “Not everything that you read in the press is true.”

Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, was a proud supporter of Buenos Aires’ San Lorenzo.

Napoli secured their fourth Serie A title with a 2-0 victory against Cagliari, highlighted by goals from Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku. In a lighthearted moment, De Laurentiis presented the pope with a Napoli No. 10 jersey, honoring the late Diego Maradona.

The gathering also covered the social significance of this soccer achievement and its impact on community and moral values in sports.

Leo remarked on the value of soccer in society, indicating that the sport holds a massive influence around the globe. He expressed concern about the commercialization of sports, stressing that it could potentially lose its educational aspects, thus calling for careful oversight from parents and sports officials regarding youth engagement in competitive sports.